Engagement with the HRC

Principal sponsorship of HRC resolutions

Adequate housing as a component of the right to an adequate standard of living; Open-ended Working Group on an optional protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child to provide a communications procedure; Strengthening efforts to prevent and eliminate child, early and forced marriage: challenges, achievements, best practices and implementation gaps.

Voting record

After it became member of the Council in 2006, Finland voted in favour of an OIC resolution on Israeli settlements in the OPT, and against an African Group resolution on Darfur. It abstained during voting on an OIC resolution on the occupied Syrian Golan.
For resolutions dealing with civil and political rights, Finland generally joined consensus. It voted against an OIC resolution on defamation of religions, and an African Group resolution on preparations for the Durban Review Conference.
Regarding economic, social and cultural rights texts, Finland generally joined consensus (including on a NAM resolution on the right to development). Notwithstanding, Finland voted against a 2006 resolution on economic reform policies and foreign debt, a 2007 resolution on unilateral coercive measures, and a 2006 resolution on the impacts of globalisation on the enjoyment of human rights.

Universal Periodic Review

Participation in other reviews1st cycle: 59 / 192

2nd cycle: 82 / 192

Cooperation with the UN, its representatives and mechanisms in the field of human rights

Cited in the Secretary General’s reports on 'alleged reprisals for cooperation with the United Nations, its representatives and mechanisms in the field of human rights' (2010-2018)?

YES

Response to allegations from government concerned?YES

Fulfilment of past voluntary pledges & commitments

Specific voluntary pledges: 18

Finland tabled its pledges and commitments in support of its candidacy for membership for the 2006-2007 period on 9 May 2006.

Much of Finland’s report described its existing commitments to human rights. However, Finland did make a number of pledges for future action at international and domestic levels.

Internationally, Finland pledged to: ratify the Optional Protocol to the CRC on the sale of children, child prostitution, and child pornography; fully cooperate with the Council, including its UPR mechanism; support Special Procedures; and fully cooperate with the Treaty Bodies.

Domestically, Finland pledged to: further intensify efforts to eradicate violence against women; intensify its fight against human trafficking; intensify action against racism and discrimination; and strengthen the rights of indigenous peoples, particularly the Sami people.

An analysis of steps taken by Finland in fulfillment of its international level pledges shows that it did indeed ratify the OP-CRC. Finland has also cooperated with Special Procedures, maintaining a Standing Invitation and responding to all communications. Similarly, Finland has shown a strong commitment to UPR, participating at ministerial-level, submitting a mid-term report on implementation, and participating in the reviews of 59 other states during the first cycle. Finland is Party to 6 of the core conventions, and at present has one overdue report (CERD – 3 months) and submitted one late (CAT).